MORE than 800 people turned up for the first in a series of free concerts saved from cancellation.

Last Sunday (June 26), Hilly Fields Park hosted the first Music on the Bandstand event of 2016, with music from the Conchord Swing Band and George P, a teacher at St Michael's School, during the interval.

The Friends of Hilly Fields Park have put on free concerts every summer since 2001, with financial help from Enfield Council’s Residents Priority Fund.

However, due to the squeeze from central government, the council cut the funding and began charging for use of the bandstand for the first time, putting the concerts in jeopardy.

But the Friends have earned a lottery grant and sponsorship from James Hayward estate agents and Metaswitch communications.

The next free event is on Sunday, July 24 at 3pm, with Cuban salsa and samba drumming from Son Yambu.